按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
levelled with the ground； so many nations exterminated； so many millions
of people fallen by the edge of the sword； and the richest and most
beautiful part of the world turned upside down； for the traffic of pearl
and pepper？ Mechanic victories！ Never did ambition； never did public
animosities； engage men against one another in such miserable
hostilities； in such miserable calamities。
Certain Spaniards； coasting the sea in quest of their mines； landed in a
fruitful and pleasant and very well peopled country； and there made to
the inhabitants their accustomed professions： 〃that they were peaceable
men； who were come from a very remote country； and sent on the behalf of
the King of Castile； the greatest prince of the habitable world； to whom
the Pope； God's vicegerent upon earth； had given the principality of all
the Indies； that if they would become tributaries to him； they should be
very gently and courteously used〃； at the same time requiring of them
victuals for their nourishment； and gold whereof to make some pretended
medicine； setting forth； moreover； the belief in one only God； and the
truth of our religion； which they advised them to embrace； whereunto they
also added some threats。 To which they received this answer： 〃That as to
their being peaceable； they did not seem to be such； if they were so。
As to their king； since he was fain to beg； he must be necessitous and
poor； and he who had made him this gift； must be a man who loved
dissension； to give that to another which was none of his own； to bring
it into dispute against the ancient possessors。 As to victuals； they
would supply them； that of gold they had little； it being a thing they
had in very small esteem； as of no use to the service of life； whereas
their only care was to pass it over happily and pleasantly： but that what
they could find excepting what was employed in the service of their gods；
they might freely take。 As to one only God； the proposition had pleased
them well； but that they would not change their religion； both because
they had so long and happily lived in it； and that they were not wont to
take advice of any but their friends； and those they knew： as to their
menaces； it was a sign of want of judgment to threaten those whose nature
and power were to them unknown； that； therefore； they were to make haste
to quit their coast； for they were not used to take the civilities and
professions of armed men and strangers in good part； otherwise they
should do by them as they had done by those others；〃 showing them the
heads of several executed men round the walls of their city。 A fair
example of the babble of these children。 But so it is； that the
Spaniards did not； either in this or in several other places； where they
did not find the merchandise they sought； make any stay or attempt；
whatever other conveniences were there to be had； witness my CANNIBALS。
＇Chapter XXX。 of Book I。＇
Of the two most puissant monarchs of that world； and； peradventure； of
this； kings of so many kings； and the last they turned out； he of Peru；
having been taken in a battle； and put to so excessive a ransom as
exceeds all belief； and it being faithfully paid； and he having； by his
conversation； given manifest signs of a frank； liberal； and constant
spirit； and of a clear and settled understanding； the conquerors had a
mind； after having exacted one million three hundred and twenty…five
thousand and five hundred weight of gold； besides silver； and other
things which amounted to no less （so that their horses were shod with
massy gold）； still to see； at the price of what disloyalty and injustice
whatever； what the remainder of the treasures of this king might be； and
to possess themselves of that also。 To this end a false accusation was
preferred against him； and false witnesses brought to prove that he went
about to raise an insurrection in his provinces； to procure his own
liberty； whereupon； by the virtuous sentence of those very men who had by
this treachery conspired his ruin； he was condemned to be publicly hanged
and strangled； after having made him buy off the torment of being burnt
alive； by the baptism they gave him immediately before execution； a
horrid and unheard of barbarity； which； nevertheless； he underwent
without giving way either in word or look； with a truly grave and royal
behaviour。 After which； to calm and appease the people； aroused and
astounded at so strange a thing； they counterfeited great sorrow for his
death； and appointed most sumptuous funerals。
The other king of Mexico；＇Guatimosin＇ having for a long time defended
his beleaguered city； and having in this siege manifested the utmost of
what suffering and perseverance can do； if ever prince and people did；
and his misfortune having delivered him alive into his enemies' hands；
upon articles of being treated like a king； neither did he in his
captivity discover anything unworthy of that title。 His enemies； after
their victory； not finding so much gold as they expected； when they had
searched and rifled with their utmost diligence； they went about to
procure discoveries by the most cruel torments they could invent upon the
prisoners they had taken： but having profited nothing by these； their
courage being greater than their torments； they arrived at last to such a
degree of fury； as； contrary to their faith and the law of nations； to
condemn the king himself； and one of the principal noblemen of his court；
to the rack； in the presence of one another。 This lord； finding himself
overcome with pain； being environed with burning coals； pitifully turned
his dying eyes towards his master； as it were to ask him pardon that he
was able to endure no more； whereupon the king； darting at him a fierce
and severe look； as reproaching his cowardice and pusillanimity； with a
harsh and constant voice said to him thus only： 〃And what dost thou think
I suffer？ am I in a bath？ am I more at ease than thou？〃 Whereupon the
other immediately quailed under the torment and died upon the spot。 The
king； half roasted； was carried thence； not so much out of pity （for what
compassion ever touched so barbarous souls； who； upon the doubtful
information of some vessel of gold to be made a prey of； caused not only
a man； but a king； so great in fortune and desert； to be broiled before
their eyes）； but because his constancy rendered their cruelty still more
shameful。 They afterwards hanged him for having nobly attempted to
deliver himself by arms from so long a captivity and subjection； and he
died with a courage becoming so magnanimous a prince。
Another time； they burnt in the same fire four hundred and sixty men
alive at once； the four hundred of the common people； the sixty the
principal lords of a province； simply prisoners of war。 We have these
narratives from themselves for they not only own it； but boast of it and
publish it。 Could it be for a testimony of their justice or their zeal
to religion？ Doubtless these are ways too differing and contrary to so
holy an end。 Had they proposed to themselves to extend our faith； they
would have considered that it does not amplify in the possession of
territories； but i